Epilogue: Bound by Fire

Six months later…

The waves crashed gently against the shore, the salty breeze tangling in Elena's hair as she stood barefoot on the warm sand. The sky was painted in shades of pink and gold, the sun beginning its slow descent. It was perfect.

Behind her, Luca approached, his footsteps quiet but familiar. His arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her against him.

"Lost in thought?" he murmured against her ear.

She smiled, leaning into his warmth. "Just thinking about how far we've come."

Luca kissed her shoulder, his lips trailing up to her neck. "We survived hell. We deserve this."

She turned in his arms, looking up at him. His eyes were no longer clouded with rage or pain. They were steady, filled with something deeper than love—certainty.

"Are you happy?" she asked softly.

Luca brushed a strand of hair from her face. "Happier than I ever thought I could be."

She exhaled, pressing a hand to his chest. "Me too."

A mischievous smirk tugged at his lips. "So… what do you say we make this official?"

Elena blinked. "What?"

Luca pulled something from his pocket—a small velvet box.

Her breath hitched.

He got down on one knee.

"Elena," he began, his voice steady but full of emotion, "you are my fire, my chaos, my salvation. You've burned yourself into me, and I don't ever want to let go."

He flipped open the box, revealing a ring—a stunning band of intertwined gold and firestone, as if it had been forged in flames itself.

"Marry me," he said, his voice raw. "Be mine forever."

Elena's heart pounded so hard she thought it might burst.

Tears welled in her eyes as she dropped to her knees, throwing her arms around him. "Yes," she whispered. "A thousand times, yes."

Luca laughed, pulling her in for a deep, searing kiss. The ocean roared around them, the sunset bathing them in golden light.

They had been bound by fire, forged through pain and passion.

And now, they would rise from the ashes—together.